Students and graduates have been left out of pocket after a travel company ceased trading after almost 30 years in business. A decision on whether to wind up Global Vision International (GVI) is due on July 28. It means the company would enter liquidation and no longer be able to do business or employ people.
The firm, which provided volunteer placements in conservation, development and education, announced earlier this month that it was closing its doors after 28 yearsupending customers’ travel plans. Wildlife conservation and zoo biology student, Amy Taylor, paid £4,000 for a conservation internship in South Africa.
She told the BBC: “I was so happy within myself when I got accepted. I was just so excited about the future that I might have. There’s essentially absolutely nothing I can do about it.”
Ms Taylor, 21, from Manchester, said she is trying to recover the money through her bank as she had also taken out travel insurance from GVI.
The student said if she cannot get the money back, then she is unlikely to go anywhere else as she doesn’t trust anyone at the moment.
Linus Rowland-Bell, 23, from Liverpool, said he paid £2,258 for a placement in the Amazon jungle. Mr Rowland-Bell said he worked two days a week while studying to save the money for the trip.
But his concerns were raised by delays and conflicting information weeks before GVI collapsed.
The centre in Peru where he wanted to go sent him an email on June 28 to say it couldn’t accept anyone as it hadn’t been paid by GVI for six months.
Mr Rowland-Bell said it was “terrifying” to think of all the time and money he had put by for the trip. He was able to get his money back via his bank.
GVI Chief Executive Andrew Valentine apologised to customers in a statement published on the firm’s website. He said: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write to share that GVI is today closing its doors.
“This is a deeply sad conclusion to a remarkable journey, but as we navigate this final chapter, we look back with immense pride and gratitude for everything we achieved together.”
Mr Valentine added he felt regret at the impact the closure would have in staff, customers and projects.
He concluded his statement: “Thank you for your passion, your hard work, your grit, and your unwavering belief in a better world. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to journey with you.”
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